Method and apparatus for mounting filaments



R. PHELPS METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR MOUNTING FILAMENTS Original Filed May 7, 1927 Iv YEN-TUE v 3.05005 5. Razz-zaps,

.H'rs Erma-H3752? Patented Ml... 1a, 1930 mural) STATES PATENT Fries BOSCOE G. PHELPS, F CLEVELAND, OHIO, ASSIGNOB TO GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANY, A CORPORATION OF NEW YOBK METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR MOUNTING FILAMENTS Griginal applioation'flled hiay 7, 1927, Serial No. 189,514. Divided and this application filed Isune 9, 1927. Serial No. 197,568.

My invention relates to electric incandescent lamps and similar articles comprising a filament sealed in a bulb or other container. More particularly my invention relates to methods and apparatus for mounting the filament on the stem which is sealed into the bulb or other container. The object of my invention is to definitely dispose the filament with reference to a portion of the stem. This has a distinct advantage in the production of devices in which the filament is definitely located with reference to the base of the device.

The present application is a division of my application Serial No. 189,514, filed May 'Z, 1927, and the present invention is particula 1y adapted for use in combination with the sealing-in mptlhod which is part of the subject matter thereof. Further features and advantages of my invention will appear from the following description of a species thereof.

In the drawing, Fig. 1 is a perspective view of an, apparatus for mounting filaments; .Fig. 2 is a fragmentary vertical section; and 3 is an elevation partially in section of a sea ing head.

In Fig. 1 is shown a mounting device which may be conveniently located adjacent to a sealing-in machine for the purpose of accurately attaching and aligning filaments upon lamp stems prior to sealing the said stems into lamp bulbs. These lamp stems, as shown, are preferably of the tipless' type such as disclosed in Mitchell and White Patent 1,423,956, and comprise a flare tube 10,

an exhaust tube 11 and filament supporting and conducting wires 12-13 sealed in and extending from the flattened glass portion of the stem 14. This tipless stem assembly ready for the filament is placed upon a swivel arm 15 so constructed that the lower end ofthe fiare tube 16 seats upon and the exhaust tube extends through atubular mount pin 17, which is substantially like mount pins carried by the sealing-in machine, hereinafter described. in order to firmly support and align the stem upon the mounting device, I

provide a clamp 18 which causes the exhaust tube to engage a groove in ablock .18 aligned with the opening in mount pm 17 The insertion of the stem in the swivel arm 15 may be made at any convenient position of the latter but, for the mounting of the filament, the arm 15, is caused to rest upon a stop 19. A slidable cutting block 20 is properly positioned on the base 21 to recelve the projecting ends of the filament supportwires 12-13 inshallow grooves 22 formed therein. After the positioning, a knife 23 is actuated to trim ofi ends projecting over the edge of the block 20, said knife being pivotally mounted at 24.- and operated through a handle 25. The block 20 is then replaced by a pair of electrical con ducting blocks 26-27 insulated each other and partially grooved to receive the position against a stop'31 and by hand the fila ment'is adjusted to the desired symmetry about thelower point of an aligning pin 32 I which lies in the tubular member 17. The mount thus completed is then transferred from the mounting device to a machine for sealing it into a bulb.

principal axis through the In Fig. 3 the mount is shown inserted in a sealing machinehead'such as disclosed in the patent application hereinbefore referred to.-

partlally closed ring 33 sup- It comprises a ported upon a pair of posts 34 extending from a turret 35. The said ring is suitably shaped to receive and support a bulb 36 having its neck 37 depending over the mount pin 38, similar to mount pin 17, upon which rests the flared stem tube 10 and the exhaust tube 11 I extends through mount pin 38 and is accurately positioned by reason of the fact that its lower end is held in the slotted end of a tubular pin 39. The flame for the sealing op eration is applied through burners 40-41.

What I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent of the United States, is

1.. In an apparatus of the class described,

-the combination of an arm having thereon meansfor receiving and'definitely positioning a stem having leading-in conductors sealed therein and projecting therefrom, a 5 stop for holding said arm in a generally horizontal position, a trimming means comprising a block adapted to be positioned to receive the projecting ends of said conductors, a cuttero eratively disposed relatively thereto, a bloc for receiving and positioning said filament and ends and means for uniting said filament to said ends. a 2. In an apparatus of the class described, the combination of a pivoted arm having thereon means 'for receiving and definitely ositioning a stem having leading-in con- Huctors sealed therein and projecting therefrom, a stop for holding said arm in a generally horizontal position, a trimming means comprising a block adapted to. be positioned to receive the projecting ends of said conductors and a cutter operatively disposed relatively thereto, a block for receiving and ositionlng said filament and ends, means or uniting said filament to said ends, a stop disposed so as to locate said arm in a vertical osition and an aligning means whereby said ament may be symmetrically disposed relatively to the axis of said stem. In witness whereof, I have hereunto set my hand this 6th day of June, 1927..

ROSCOE G. PI-ELPS. 

